I scored a hat-trick against them last two season”, Marcus Rashford told Ten Hag the only way to beat Southampton at Home tomorrow

Marcus Rashford has been dealing with frustration and criticism over the past year, and it has carried into the early stages of Manchester United’s 2024-25 season. At 26 years old, Rashford has seen his role at Old Trafford shift drastically, from being a key player to one whose performances are being questioned.

Rashford’s form during Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge was the highlight of his career. He managed to score 30 goals and provide 11 assists in 56 matches across all competitions, a personal best for the forward. However, his performance took a serious dip the following season, where he scored only eight goals and registered six assists in 43 matches, leaving fans and analysts concerned about his decline.

**Rashford Needs to Lead Against Southampton**

Despite Rashford’s struggles, Ten Hag has consistently stood by him, showing faith in the forward even when benching younger talents like Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho. Rashford was one of Manchester United’s brighter players in their recent 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford, but many are still questioning why Ten Hag continues to start him over rising stars like Garnacho and Diallo. Garnacho has started just one out of three Premier League matches this season, and he might feel he deserves more opportunities to showcase his talent.

Saturday’s upcoming match against Southampton could be a turning point for Rashford. With the Saints struggling to find their footing after being promoted back to the Premier League, they present a vulnerable target for United to exploit. Rashford has a respectable track record against Southampton, having scored two goals and assisted four more in 13 appearances against them. A standout performance this weekend could not only boost his own confidence but also help United climb out of their current slump.

**Ten Hag Trusts Rashford to Find His Form Again**

After Manchester United’s defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield, where Rashford missed several chances to score, many started to voice their concerns. However, Ten Hag remains unfazed by the forward’s lack of goals. Speaking to the media, the Dutch manager expressed his belief that Rashford is capable of breaking his goal drought soon. He told *The Guardian*:

“He’s experienced enough to handle this. Once he scores one, more goals will follow.”

This optimism reflects Ten Hag’s unwavering faith in Rashford, despite his inconsistent form in recent years. Rashford burst onto the scene in 2015 with high-energy performances that quickly endeared him to Manchester United supporters. Over the course of his career with the Red Devils, he has accumulated 131 goals and 69 assists in 406 appearances. Nevertheless, the last few seasons have been a rollercoaster of form for the Englishman.

**Sending a Message to His Critics**

During the international break, Rashford took to social media to share videos of himself working out in the gym and practicing on the pitch. These posts could be seen as a message to his critics, showing that he’s putting in the effort to return to his best.
Interestingly, despite England being involved in UEFA Nations League matches, Rashford was not called up to the national squad. He had also missed out on England’s Euro 2024 campaign, marking the first major international tournament he hasn’t been a part of since making his national debut in 2016.

Rashford has a golden opportunity to silence the criticism surrounding him with a stellar performance against Southampton. Manchester United, currently sitting in 14th place under Ten Hag, could certainly benefit from a revitalized Rashford as they seek to regain form. If Rashford can tap into his past success and make a decisive impact this weekend, it may not only reignite his season but also provide a much-needed spark for the team.
Marcus Rashford finds himself at a critical juncture in his Manchester United career. After an outstanding 2022-23 season where he netted 30 goals and provided 11 assists, his form dipped considerably last year, leaving fans and analysts concerned about his future as a key player. His tally of only eight goals and six assists in the 2023-24 season marked a significant decline, especially given the high expectations after his breakout performance under Erik ten Hag.

As Manchester United struggles early in the 2024-25 season, sitting 14th in the league, Rashford remains a focal point for both fans’ hopes and criticisms. Despite this, Ten Hag continues to back him, even benching younger talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo to give Rashford more opportunities. Ten Hag’s faith was evident after the Community Shield loss to Manchester City, where he expressed confidence that Rashford’s form would improve once he found the net again.

The upcoming clash against Southampton presents Rashford with a chance to reclaim his form and silence his critics. With a decent record against the Saints, Rashford could be pivotal in helping Manchester United break out of their slump. A strong showing would not only rebuild his confidence but also reinforce his value to the team, potentially leading to a resurgence in form that could propel United’s season forward.